Searching for Words, 11×14, watercolor, ©2013 Jeane Vogel Studios

Art saves lives.

Anyone who knows me or reads my posts knows that’s my mantra. Art is personal expression. It’s communication. My artist statement gently reminds patrons that “art should match your soul, not your sofa.” Art should speak to you… down to your toes.

What if art is the only way you can communicate?

Through her work, I have met Dinaz. She’s 15, attends a St. Louis area high school, is mostly non-verbal, has some hearing loss, and poor motor skills.

But she can paint.

As part of the Chesterfield Art’s Kaleidoscope program for youth with disabilities, Dinaz was inspired by Kandinsky’s Circles. They chose her piece for their postcard! Before I saw the postcard, her’s was the piece that spoke to me.

Chesterfield Art asked professional artists to create original work inspired by a work of the students. She and her work inspired “Searching for Words.”

Our work will be displayed together at Chesterfield Arts, 444 Chesterfield Center in Chesterfield. Please join us for the artists’ reception, 6-8, August 16. The exhibit will hang through the end of the month.

Coincidentally, August 16 is my son Aaron’s 21st birthday. He will be there. Aaron also inspired Searching for Words… He has CHARGE syndrome, is non-verbal, mostly deaf, legally blind, developmentally delayed… and loves art. He loves creating it. He loves experiencing it.

Art is tactile for the eyes, ears, fingers, soul. Art opens up new worlds. Art allows expression that slip past conventional means.

Art is not decoration. It is communication… between you and the artist and the work.

It’s inspiration. It’s happy. It’s thoughtful. It’s a memory. It’s a provocation. It takes you to a place you might not have imagined.

Art Saves Lives.

It doesn’t have to match the sofa.